Ecological assessment of daily suicidal thoughts and attempts among suicidal teens after psychiatric hospitalization: Lessons about feasibility and acceptability
There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
<p class="first" id="P1">Despite its potential to yield information about the dynamic
course of suicidal ideation/behavior
in individuals’ natural environment, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) has been
strikingly underutilized among suicidal teens. This study reports on feasibility and
acceptability of ecological assessment of daily suicide risk-related outcomes (“daily
diaries,” a special case of EMA) among adolescent inpatients in the critical post-discharge
period. Thirty-four adolescents (76% female; ages 13-17) responded to daily electronic
surveys for four weeks after discharge. Survey adherence was 69% (n=650 days) and
decreased each week. Adherence was half as likely among adolescents without attempt
history (OR=0.50, CI=0.27-0.95). Mid- and end-point study responses indicated high
acceptability of daily diaries. Most adolescents reported no change or more positive
change in their thoughts/mood after daily surveys. Suicidal ideation was reported
on 24.4% (n=159) of the days. In the month post discharge, more teens reported suicidal
thoughts using daily surveys (70.6%) compared to end-of-study assessment (45.2%) (Chi-square=4.24,
<i>p</i>=.039). Two participants (5.9%) reported an attempt. Ideation frequency and
duration
varied across time, suggesting utility of frequent assessments in this context. EMA
data collection with high-risk adolescents offers a feasible approach to examining
real-time suicidal ideation/behavior, yielding nuanced information that is critical
to advancing suicide prevention efforts.
</p>